Recloseable bag and method of production

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a recloseable bag having a front and rear faces. One or more bendable shape-retaining flat T-shaped spines are stamped and bonded to a face of the bag. In one embodiment, the T-shaped spines are formed of a bendable plastic shape-retaining polymer material. In a second embodiment, the T-shaped spines are formed of resilient plastic having a shape-retaining strand such as wire embedded centrally therein. An installation machine is also disclosed for formation of and heat- or adhesive-application of the flat T-shaped spines to the recloseable self-sealing bag material either prior to or during the filling and sealing process. The present invention&#39;s design is simple and straightforward, highly effective, and can be economically manufactured.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application derives priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/444,376 for “RECLOSEABLE BAG AND METHOD OFPRODUCTION”, filed: Feb. 10, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to food bags and, moreparticularly, to a recloseable self-sealing bag for food articles suchas crackers and chips that maintains freshness and yet is easy andinexpensive to manufacture using current production processes.

[0004] 2. Description of the Background

[0005] Plastic bags are used to distribute a wide variety of items. Forexample, food such as potato and tortilla chips, as well as cookies,crackers and cereal, are frequently sold in disposable plastic bags.Generally, plastic bags are air sealed until opened by the consumer. Theair in the sealed bag provides a protective cushion from external forceswhich can crush the contents of the bag. This is especially true withpotato chips and other similar products.

[0006] Horizontal and vertical Form, Fill and Seal Machines are commonlyused in a production environment to form these packages, fill withproduct and seal, all in a continuous sequence of operations.

[0007] It is generally known that the freshness of the products caneasily be preserved by reclosing an open bag in an attempt to maintainan airtight seal. Consumers typically fold or twist the open end of thebag and may use a Chip Clip to hold the folded portion in place. Neithermethod works very well as the folded and/or twisted end inevitably comesundone. More importantly because the Chip Clip is a separate itemconsumers often find that they don't have one when they need one.

[0008] Some food items are packaged with reclosable zippers. Forexample, potato chips are commercially available (H.E.B®) with areclosable zipper. The H.E.B.® chips come in a zippered bag which keepsthe chips fresh until the next use. These bags are also made on aPolaris f/f/s machine from Woodman (Decatur, Ga.), but they require anexpensive zipper profile applicator from AMI RecPro (Glenview, Ill.).AMI RecPro also provides the TopZip™ Proseal® reclosable zipper.

[0009] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,812,074 and 4,601,694 disclose such zippersfully integrated into the bag and is a part of the bag's primary sealingmechanism.

[0010] Another method and device is suggested in U.S. Pat. No.4,909,017, et al., which discloses a method of making a form fill baghaving a reclosable fastener thereon. During the manufacturing processreclosable fasteners are attached to the bag in a directionperpendicular to the flow of the web material. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.4,810,103 to Bell issued Mar. 7, 1989, shows a resealable bag closurearrangement including an elongated flexible wire (21) arranged in aserpentine configuration and operatively attached to the flexible walls(14) of the bag member (13) to form a resealable closure.

[0011] The aforementioned methods and apparatus suffer from a number ofdrawbacks, most notably, that the existing manufacturing plants thatutilize a conventional form, fill, and seal machine would need topurchase new equipment or retool their own equipment to add thecapability of attaching a resealable closure. The degree of retooling toaccomplish this could be considerable. It would be far more advantageousto provide a more economical way of attaching a resealable fastener as apart of the conventional form, fill, and seal process in a way thatrequires a minimum of retooling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention toprovide an improved recloseable self-sealing bag for food articles suchas crackers and chips that maintains freshness and yet which is easy andinexpensive to manufacture using current production processes.

[0013] It is another object to provide a more economical way ofattaching a resealable fastener as a part of the conventional form,fill, and seal process in a way that requires a minimum of retooling.

[0014] These and other objects are accomplished by a recloseable baghaving a front face and a rear face. One or more bendableshape-retaining flat T-shaped spines are stamped and bonded to eitherthe front or rear face of the bag.

[0015] In one embodiment, the T-shaped spines are formed of a bendableplastic shape-retaining polymer material.

[0016] In a second embodiment, the T-shaped spines are formed ofresilient plastic or other compatible material having one or multipleshape-retaining strand materials (i.e. flat or round wire strand(s))embedded therein.

[0017] An installation machine is also disclosed for simultaneousformation of and heat- or adhesive-application of the flat T-shapedspines to the recloseable self-sealing bag material either prior to orduring the filling and sealing process.

[0018] The present invention's design is simple and straightforward,highly effective, can be economically manufactured, and there is nowasted material in the production process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when takentogether with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the recloseable self-sealingbag 2 for food articles according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, having two T-shaped spines which are formed of a bendableplastic polymer material.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa recloseable self-sealing bag 20 for food articles according to thepresent invention, having two T-shaped spines which are formed ofresilient plastic having a shape-retaining wire strand embeddedcentrally therein.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an installation machine 100for installation of the flat T-shaped spines 14 to the recloseableself-sealing bag 2 prior to or during the filling and sealing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the recloseable self-sealingbag 2 for food articles according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The recloseable self-sealing bag 2 is folded and formed witha top heat seam 12, bottom heat seam 16 and a center rear heat seam 20,as are conventional bags. It is produced from film stock by horizontalor vertical form, fill and seal machines. In accordance with thispreferred embodiment of the present invention, two flat T-shaped spines14 are stamped and bonded to the bag on the rear surface in locationsthat do not interfere with the otherwise conventional seaming process(i.e. each of the two spines 14 positioned a short distance beneath thetop heat seam 12 and on either side of center rear seam 20).

[0024] Each T-shaped spine 14 comprises an upper horizontal section 10bisected by a downwardly protruding central section 18. Both spines 14are preferably formed of a bendable plastic shape-retaining polymermaterial, although other shape-retaining materials will suffice. TheT-shaped spines 14 may be bonded to the surface of the bag usingconventional heat sealing technology or adhesive. This embodiment ismore suitable for installation before imparting the rear heat seam 20 tothe bag. Given the T-shaped configuration of the spines and theirbendable shape-retaining material, the T-shaped spines 14 reliably holdthe bag closed (upon rolling or folding the top of the upper horizontalsection 10 of the bag down) or open (upon straightening the downwardcentral section 18), as desired. The T-shaped spines 14 can be producedin many colors as desired.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa recloseable self-sealing bag 20 for food articles according to thepresent invention. As before, the recloseable self-sealing bag 20 ofthis embodiment is folded and formed with a top heat seam 12, a bottomheat seam 16, and a center rear heat seam 28. Two flat T-shaped spines24 are stamped and bonded on the rear surface in locations that do notinterfere with the otherwise conventional seaming process (i.e. each ofthe two spines 24 positioned a short distance beneath the top heat seam12 and on either side of center rear seam 28).

[0026] Each T-shaped spine 24 includes an upper horizontal section 30bisected by a downwardly protruding central section 27. In thisembodiment the spines 24 are preferably pre-formed of a resilientplastic with a shape-retaining strand material 29 embedded centrallytherein. The shape-retaining strand material 29 can be wire, wire mesh,or a variety of other shape-retaining materials. The T-shaped spines 24are bonded to the surface using conventional heat sealing technology oradhesive. Again, this embodiment is preferrable installed duringproduction before imparting the rear heat seam 28 to the bag. As withthe previous embodiment, the T-shaped configuration of the spines 24 andtheir bendable shape-retaining material 29, the T-shaped spines 24reliably hold the bag 20 closed (upon rolling or folding the top of theupper horizontal section 30 of the bag down) or open (upon straighteningthe downward central section 27), as desired. The T-shaped spines 24 canbe produced in many colors as desired.

[0027] While the two preferred embodiments of the present invention thatare described herein employ two spines on the rear surface of the bag,depending on the size of the bag the number of spines may vary. Forexample, single serving bags may require only one spine and large bagsmay require 2 or more spines. Also, it should be noted that while theembodiments described herein position the spines on the rear surface ofthe bag for aesthetic purposes, the spine(s) may be positioned on thefront surface of the bag.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an installation machine 100for installation of the flat T-shaped spines 14, 24 to the recloseableself-sealing bag 2 either prior to filling and sealing or during thefilling and sealing process. The installation machine 100 can be used asa standalone assembly (prior to filling and sealing), or retrofit to anexisting horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal (FFS) machine ascommonly used in a production environment (for example, the OrpackGL-250 Form-Fill-Seal).

[0029] If retrofitting the installation machine 100 to an existing FFSmachine, the installation machine 100 is added into the circuit prior tothe bag heat formation (seam sealing) step.

[0030] The installation machine 100 includes a feeder spool 109 forfeeding a unitary strip of bag material 112 through tension rollers 117and an alignment spool 111 into a heated hydraulic press 106 withintegral cutter arrangement. The bag material 112 is pulled therethrough by servo-driven feeding motors 104, 105. The servo-drivenfeeding motors 104, 105 are electrically connected to the existingprogrammable controller of the FFS machine (not shown) for programmedoperation thereof.

[0031] The installation machine 100 also includes feeder spoil 107 andfeeder spool 108 each for feeding a unitary strip (114 and 116,respectively) of either a bendable plastic shape-retaining polymermaterial to form the T-shaped spines 14 of FIG. 1 or a resilient plasticwith a shape-retaining strand material 29 embedded centrally therein toform the T-shaped spines 24 of FIG. 2 into the heated hydraulic press106 in tandem with the bag material 112. The respective strips 114 and116 enter the press 106 perpendicular to each other. The integral cutterof press 106 cuts the strips 114 and 116 to form the T-shaped spines.The press 106 may further be heated to an appropriate temperature toeffect a heat-weld of the T-shaped spines 14, 24 to the respective facesof the bag material 112, or may be equipped with an integral glueapplicator for adhesive bonding of the T-shaped spines 14, 24 thereto.The press 106 is mounted on a hydraulic arm 113 for proper stampingforce, and the hydraulics are likewise electrically connected to theexisting programmable controller of the FFS machine for programmedintermittent operation thereof.

[0032] With the T-shaped spines 14 or 24 heat welded or adhesivelybonded to the bag material 112, the bag material with bonded spines 115may either be collected on another collection spool (not shown) forlater use, or may be fed directly to the next process step in theexisting FFS machine.

[0033] The illustrated installation machine 100 also includes anelongate feeder spoil 102 for out-feeding the bag material with T-shapedspines 14, 24 adhered thereto into the next process step in the FFSmachine.

[0034] Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certainmodifications of the concept underlying the present invention, variousother embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of theembodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to thoseskilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept.It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A recloseable bag having front and rear faces, comprising: a bag, and a bendable shape-retaining flat T-shaped spine bonded to a face of said bag.
 2. A recloseable bag according to claim 1, wherein said T-shaped spine is bonded to said bag using conventional heat sealing technology or adhesives.
 3. A recloseable bag according to claim 2, wherein said bag is for storing food articles.
 4. A recloseable bag according to claim 3, wherein said bag is folded and formed by a form, fill and seal (FFS) machine.
 5. A recloseable bag according to claim 4, wherein said bag is folded and formed by said FFS machine with a top seam, a bottom seam and a center rear seam.
 6. A recloseable bag according to claim 5, wherein said T-shaped spine is positioned with the horizontal axis of the T adjacent the top seam and the vertical axis of the T pointing towards the bottom seam.
 7. A recloseable bag according to claim 6, wherein said seams are heat seams.
 8. The recloseable bag according to claim 2, wherein said T-shaped spine is formed of a bendable shape-retaining plastic polymer material.
 9. The recloseable bag according to claim 2, wherein said T-shaped spine is formed of resilient plastic having a bendable shape-retaining strand embedded centrally therein.
 10. The recloseable bag according to claim 6, wherein said bag is further comprised of two of said spines bonded to the rear face of said bag, each of said two spines positioned parallel said center rear seam.
 11. A machine for manufacturing a recloseable bag with flat spines; said machine comprised of at least two feeder spools; a tension roller; an alignment spool; a press for bonding said spines to said bag material; and, servo-driven feed motors; wherein said servo-driven motors drive said feed spools; and, wherein a first feeder spool feeds bag material, guided by said tension rollers and alignment spool, into said press and a second feeder spool feeds spine material into said press.
 12. The machine according to claim 11, further comprising a heated press.
 13. The machine according to claim 12, wherein said press is mounted to a hydraulic arm for proper stamping force (a hydraulic press).
 14. The machine according to claim 13, wherein said press bonds said spines to said bag material using a heat-weld.
 15. The machine according to claim 13, wherein said press is equipped with an integral glue applicator for adhesive bonding of the spines to the bag material.
 16. The machine according to claim 12, further comprising a press with an integral cutter; wherein said second feeder spool feeds a first unitary strip of spine material into said press and a first feeder spoil feeds a second unitary strip of spine material into said press perpendicular to said first unitary strip; and wherein said cutter cuts said first and second unitary strips to form said T-shapes.
 17. The machine according to claim 16, further comprising a second feeder spoil integrated into an FFS machine for feeding said bag material with said bonded spines into said FFS machine.
 18. The machine according to claim 17, wherein said hyrdaulic press is electrically connected to an existing programmable controller of said FFS machine for programmed intermittent operation thereof.
 19. A method for producing a recloseable bag, comprising the steps of feeding bag material into a press; feeding bendable shape-retaining flat spine material into said press; and, bonding said spines material to said bag material.
 20. A method for producing a recloseable bag, according to claim 19, wherein the step of feeding bendable shape-retaining flat spine material into said press; further comprising feeding two unitary strips of said flat spine material into said press, perpendicular to each other, and cutting each of said strips to form T-shaped spines.
 21. A method for producing a recloseable bag according to claim 20, wherein said spine material is bonded to said bag material by heat welding or adhesive. 